Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

W/Sergeant (War Sergeant)

Unit:

169th Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 57th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Headquarters, 4th Indian Infantry Division, British Indian Army

Awarded on:

February 18th, 1943

"As a Light Anti Aircraft detachment commander, W/Sgt Pollard has continually displayed a high standard of courage, devotion to duty and resourcefulness.His conduct has been an example to all his men,and has sustained them in conditions of extreme emergency. One outstanding example of the many occasions on which he proved his worth was on 27th May 1942, when his troop was protecting the B'Echelon of 3rd Motor Brigade. When attacked by tanks Sgt Pollard sistently 's gun received a direct hit from a tank shell. So severe was the damage that the Battery Captain ordered the breech to be removed and the gun abandoned. Under heavy tank and small arms fire, Sgt Pollard personally continued to remove valuable parts of the mechanism. When finally compelled to leave the position he withdrew, but awaiting his chance, returned and recovered the gun, with a fine display of ingenuity and courage.The officer strength of his Battery was soon seriously depleted, and he was given the command of a newly formed troop which he commanded with distinction dueing the next six weeks of fighting. On his own initiative he found and succeeded in salvaging Bofors a gun. Sgt Pollard has shown himself to be possessed of a degree of courage, resourcefulness and devotion which has been an inspiration to all those serving with him and, under his leadership, his troop steadfastly provided a high standard of protection to the formation they were defending."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Second-Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 3 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government

Awarded on:

January 13th, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Husky

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

No. 3 Commando, 1st Special Service Brigade, 6th Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Overlord

"On the evening of 11 June 1944 at the CHATEAU d' ***VILLE the position of the Troop which this Officer was in was heavily shelled and the Troop Commander was killed at once. Lieutenant Pollard immediately ran to his assistance and finding there was nothing he could do he went from slit trench to slit trench dealing with casualties and heartening the soldiers, many of whom had never been under such fire before.

There is no doubt that he was instrumental in saving several lives.

On the night of 12 June 1944 a Para Battalion which was forming up 100 yards forward of his position for the assault on BREVILLE, suffered some fifty casualties through shell fire. Accompanied by one Medical Orderly Lieutenant Pollard immediately went forward and dealt with between 15 and 20 casualties most of whose lives would otherwise have been lost. He did not cease his efforts until he came to the village of BREVILLE, a distance of some 800 yards ahead of his position. During this time he was continually under fire and it is little short of a miracle that he himself did not lose his life.

At TERMOLI, ITALY, on 5 Oct 1943 he distinguished himself by directing an artillery shoot from a position on a forward slope in close range of the enemies' infantry.

His reputation for coolness and gallantry has become a byword in the Unit and is an inspiration to the soldiers under his command."

Second MC received as Bar

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Major

Awarded on:

November 8th, 1945

Rank:

Major

Unit:

12th Battalion Parachute Regiment

Awarded on:

October 26th, 1954

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

12/13th Battalion Parachute Regiment

Awarded on:

June 11th, 1960

"Lt-Col. POLLARD joined the Army as private soldier in September, 1939, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of Serjeant. He served with No. 3 Commando in NORTH AFRICA and was awarded the Military Medal in February, 1943.
In July, 1943, he was commisioned and was posted back to No. 3 Commando as an officer. He took part in the SICILIAN Campaign action. He also took part in the invasion of NORMANDY, and became Second-in-Command of No. 3 Commando. He received a bar to his Military Cross in September, 1944, and was Mentioned in Despatches in 1945.
He was demobilised in August 1946, and joined 12th Battalion The Parachute Regiment in 1947. Having served with this unit for 10 years, he was appointed to command an amalgamated battalion - the 12/13th - in October, 1957.
To the extremely gallang services he performs during the war, Lt-Col POLLARD has now added several years of **** and distinguished leadership. He has been an outstanding example during his time in the Territorial Army and has been directly responsible for much of the high standard achieved by the units with which he has been concerned.
The two units which formed the amalgamated battalion, of which he has been the first Commanding Officer, were very different in character and outlook. The one composed of Yorkshiremen and the other Lancastrians, there were inevitably many differences and troubles which had to be settled, and many clashes of interests requiring very careful adjudication. Lt-Col POLLARD, by exercising great tact, firmness, fairness and sound leadership, was succeeded in welding one united, efficient and purposeful battalion.
The battalion is spread through the large cities of the Midlands, from GOOLE near East Coast to LIVERPOOL on the West. The physical difficulties of travelling within the battalion area are enough to daunt any hardened professional, but Lt-Col POLLARD has never failed to ensure that the most excellent standards were achieved and maintained. He has never spared himself, he has set an example which will be very difficult to follow, and he is the very best type of Territorial Officer.
It would be difficult to find an officer more deserving of the Award for which he is most strongly recommended."

Rank:

Lieutenant-Colonel

Unit:

12/13th Battalion Parachute Regiment

Awarded on:

November 15th, 1960

2nd award received as bar